Four more guilty pleas from Sparty nerd beatdown

Four more current or former Michigan State football players have pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and conspiracy in connection with a Nov. 22 incident at a campus residence hall.

Wide receiver Fred Smith and offensive lineman J'Michael Deane, who are still on the team, and former players Roderick Jenrette and Jamiihr Williams entered their pleas as part of agreements that should lighten their sentences.

This is interesting from the Detroit News piece. Why even reinstate them if they can't participate? Maybe trying to put the story to rest?

Smith was one of eight players MSU suspended for the Alamo Bowl, then supposedly reinstated to the team Jan. 13.

On Thursday, however, Smith said all players involved with the fight -- charged or not -- haven't yet been able to work out at MSU's training facility or attend team meetings.

That strays from comments Dantonio made Jan. 13, telling reporters: "They are on the team right now."

"(Dantonio) hasn't told (the players involved in the fight) much about our futures," said Smith, who played at Detroit Southeastern. "He just told us to keep our heads up and deal with the situation like the young men we are."